The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1887-12-10

At meeting of the British Associa-
ton at Aberdecn.'Sir John Lubbock
read very interesting paper on the
Intelligence Of Dogs, the main point Of
his discourse being that, in place Of
trying to make the dog understand us.
we should endeavor to understand the
dog. Sir John illustrated his lecture
by an anecdote Of his own dog, which,
he told his hearers. was gifted with in
telligence enough to choose correctly
out of seven cards denoting tho differ
emit days Of the week, that one which
represented the actually present day.
Sir Johns dog, in fact is very like our
old friend the .'learned pig of the
fair in point Of intelligence; but it has
occurred to the writer. who has y con-
siderable acquaintance amongst dogs.
that it might be worth while to make
public a few dog stories illustrative OF
canine intelligence, each of which, he
thinks, is in no way inferior to that
told by Sir John Lubbock. Without
.youching for the complete truth of all
the following anecdotes, the writer
imagines. from his own experience Of
the animal, that where he has not been
able to fully veri y facts. there is mt
least no reason to doubt the bona f,ics
of those who have related the following
incidents:
Tho first dog Of which shall speak
belonged (lIe is dead now to an. old
friend Of mine. He was fine collie.
called Nero. Like some other dogs Of
my acquaintance. he was in the habit
Of going to the butchers each morning
with his master. who always gave
Nero his purchases in fish-basket. to
be by him carried home. One day it
occurred to the master that Nero
might as we'll be taught to go to market
by himself. So he began each morning
to say tho word '.Butchcr" very
solemnly to Nero Immediately before
setting out; to which word Nero gravely
listened. slowly wagging his tail the
while This went on for few weeks
with ciockwork regularity. Then came
wet day. Nero was given the basket
as usual, with a note in it asking the
butchcr-who had been warned before
hand Ito exchange it for a pound Of
steak, and taken to tho door. Then
his master said to him Butcher"
enunciating the word even more
solemnly than usual. Nero looked
thoughtful and hcsitated. He wasthen
motioncd off in the accustomed direc.
ton. Presently he went few steps
and looked back. Butcher, Nero,
butcher" repeated his instructor; and
eventually the dog, after two or three
jected appearance. and my friend wen
indoors to await the result. In due
time Nero returned with the steak; ant
for a year or two afterwards went t.
the butchers almost daily, Away
bringing back his purchases withou
mishap.
So many stories have been curren
during recent years Of canine sagacity
that one is prepared to believe grea
deal with regard to the doings AM
sensible proceedings Of the friend o
man." A curious story Of this kin'
has lately been told by the sccretar,
of Kings College Hospital, London
He states that the porter in charge o
the entrance hall was one day latel,
attracted by the loud barking Of do
At the door Of the hospital. He foun
there three dogs. one very much in
jurcd and exhausted by loss Of blood
and other two. who. it seems. had al
tracted the porter's attention by thci
barking, evidently friends of his, wit
nothing particularly the matter wit
them, for they ran away as soon a
their object was accomplished. Th
injured dog had apparently cut hi
foot with piece of glass. and he wa
traced by blood-p,srks to the sps
where the. accident happened Frol
this track It was clear that the amin;
had come by the shortest possible Gu
to the hospital, his two friends &C on
panying him to call attention TO h
condition.
Stories Of doggie's affection are con
mon enough; but know of none mol
touching than that told by Mrs. c.
who once gave . favorite carriage dc
to friend to keep for her during h
prolong absence. The following Is Il
brief Of her story as told in the Chical
Nail For the child of the family th
dog conceived one Of those preference
for which dogs. above all othor ar
mails Of the brute creation. have be.
distinguished. He played with he
walked with her,. ate with her. sic
nexr her. followed her II she rode. q
pournsd InconSolabIy u she left hon